Portable bidets



Jan. 12, 1965 J. B. T. FOSTER 3,164,846

PORTABLE BIDETS Filed Aug. 19, 1965 INVENTOR JAMES B. T. FOSTER mmw AT TORNE Y.

United States Patent 3,164,846 PORTABLE BIDETS James B. T. Foster, 47 E. 67th St., New York, NY. Filed Aug. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 302,833 13 filaims. ((31. 47)

This invention relates to the art of bidets, more particularly to means providing a portable structure for use in spraying the perineal regions of the human anatomy for medicinal, therapeutic of cleansing purposes.

A variety of situations exist in which it is either necessary or desirable to apply a spray bath to the perineal regions of the human anatomy for cleansing or therapeutic purposes. To this end bidets have been evolved consisting generally of a nozzle member suitably connected to a source of liquid supply such as a plumbing system, with the nozzle mounted over a catch basin so that when the user of the bidet squats or otherwise seats himself or herself with his or her perineal region disposed over the. nozzle, liquid may be applied through the nozzle to the perineal region, with any excess liquid caught in the catch basin. Conventional bidet structures are provided in the form of independent toilet fixtures. However, since such toilet fixtures occupy space and are relatively costly, bidets of this type are not generally available. In order to obviate this problem bidet structures have been evolved permitting use of the bidet in combination with the conventional toilet bowl or the like. Such structures are relatively complex with elaborate clamping devices employed for eifecting positioning of the nozzle with respect to the toilet bowl, and relatively involved coupling members utilized to effect connection between the nozzle and the available plumbing supply.

It is with the above problems and desiderata in mind that the present means, including both method and apparatus, have been evolved implementing the provision of a nozzle member with respect to the conventional toilet bowl or the like structure such as a bed pan or the like with the structure subject to ready cleansing, adaptation to any of a variety of differently sized toilet bowls, or bed pans, and permitting ready portability and storage.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved portable bidet.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for mounting a nozzle with respect to a toilet bowl, bed pan, or the like to provide desired bidet functions.

Another objectof the invention is to provide improved meansfor adjustably mounting a nozzle member with respect to a toilet bowl, or the like.

It is also an object of this invention to provide improved means for supporting a nozzle with respect to a toilet bowl or the like in which the arrangement of said supporting means with respect to said toilet bowl requires minimal manipulative effort on the part of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide nozzle supporting means for arranging a nozzle with respect to a toilet bowl or the like in which said supporting means are selectively adjustable to fit any of a variety of differ ently'sized toilet bowls.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a hollow valve body with an external undercut providing a slide channel. An inlet port is formed in the valve body, and a nipple is extended from the port adapted for connection to a flexible hose having a faucet coupling at the remote end thereof. Within the valve body, a hollow valve stem is slidably arranged, with said valve stem having a port which may he slid into registry with the inlet port of said valve body. The upper end of the valve stem is formed with a nozzle outlet for the emission of fluid. In the preferred illustrated embodiment of the invention, as will become hereinafter more apparent, a hollow nozzle collar is provided for arrangement over the nozzle of the valve stem. The hollow collar provides a chamber within which a desired medicament or cleansing agent may be arranged for dispersion along with the fluid emitted from the valve stem nozzle. A pair of slotted supporting plates are slidably arranged with respect to the nozzle by positioning the slide channel in the valve body to rlde within the slots of the supporting plates. The supporting plates are formed at their ends with an angled seating surface adapted to rest over the upper edge of the rim of a toilet bowl, bed pan or the like in conjunction with which the bidet structure is to be employed. The seating portions are formed with an aperture extend- 1ng into communication with the slots of the plates, with the aperture dimensioned to permit removal of the plates from the valve body to implement assembly, and cleaning. The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be made Inost manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, conelse and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the novel apparatus arranged for use in conjunction with a conventional toilet bowl; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the plates oriented to implement storage of the apparatus when not in use; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3?; of the nozzle and valve assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the relationship between the valve stem and valve body; and

FIG. 5 ,is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing a cross-sectional view of the nozzle and valve assembly transverse to the view shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be taken to designate like parts.

The portable bidet 10 comprises a valve and nozzle assembly 12, as best seen in FIGS. Q5. Nozzle and valve assembly 12 is formed with a valve body 13 of a generally cylindrical configuration having a cylindrical bore 14 therein. Extending transversely through one wall of the valve body is an inlet port 15 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Secured to the valve body, and aligned with the inlet port 15 is a nipple 16 through which fluid may be admitted to the inlet port 15. An annular undercut 20, as best seen in FIG. 2 is formed at the upper end of valve body 13 to provide a slide channel for a purpose to be made hereinafter more apparent. At the lower end of cylindrical bore 14 a crosspiece 21 is arranged, as best seen in FIG. 5, having an aperture 22 therein. Mounted for sliding through this aperture is a headed limiting screw 25 having a threaded end 26. At the lower end of limiting screw 25 a-knurled knob 27 is provided permitting manual rotation of the limiting screw 25 to vary its extension from a valve stem 30 to which it is secured, as will become hereafter, apparent.

Slidably mounted within valve body 13 is a hollow cylindrical valve stem 30 having a substantially closed lower end 31 provided with a tapered aperture adapted to receive the threaded end 26 of limiting screw 25, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. A valve stem inlet port 32 having what appears to be a rectangular configuration in elevation due to the fact that segments of the side walls of the cylindrical valve stem are cut away, is formed on diarnettrically opposed sides of the valve stem, as best seen in FIG. 5. Inlet ports 32 are dimensioned to accommodate all the fluid admitted through valve body inlet port 15,

as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. At the upper end of valve stem 30, a valve stem nozzle 35 is formed by removing two diametrically opposed arcuate segments of the valve stem wall to form what appear to be rectangular nozzle outlets, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. A valve stem flange 38 is preferably formed about the valve stem to limit the amount of movement of the valve stem into the valve body.

Mounted above the flange 38 surrounding the stem nozzles 35 is a hollow nozzle collar 40, the hollow interior of which forms a chamber 41. The nozzle collar 40 illustratively shown as of a cylindrical shape is provided with a cap 43 contoured as illustrated in the drawings and adapted for threaded engagement with collar 40 by means of threads 44. Nozzle collar cap 43 is provided with apertures 45 circumferentially spaced about the top of the cap, and a central aperture 46.

A supporting plate 50, two of which are here shown, is provided for positioning of the nozzle valve assembly 12 when in use as will become hereinafter more apparent. The supporting plates 53 are provided with a slideway 51 of a transverse dimension with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side of slideway 51 equal to the diameter of the valve body 13 as measured across undercut 20 with sufficient clearance such as to permit manual sliding of the valve body 13 with respect to the plate 50. One end of the plate 50 is closed as at 52, while the other end is upwardly bent and increased in dimension to form a seating flange 55. An aperture 56 is formed in seating flange 55 and connected to slideway 51, with the dimensions of aperture 56 being such as to permit the nozzle collar 40 to be moved therethrough.

Secured to nipple 16 is a length of flexible tubing 60 having a conventional faucet connector 61 arranged at the free end thereof.

Operation In use, the aforedescribed structure permits the positioning of a nozzle with respect to a toilet bowl, bedpan or the like whereby the functions of a bidet may be obtained.

As illustrated in the drawing a conventional toilet bowl T is shown in FIG. 1 with the novel apparatus positioned for use. Where the toilet bowl is of the type having a seat hinged thereto, it is preferred that the apparatus be arranged between the bowl B and the seat S. The supporting plates 50 are extended from diametrically opposed sides of the nozzle valve assembly 12 with the seating flanges 55 arranged on the rim of bowl B. The friction fit between the plate 5t) and the slide channel 20 though permitting sliding of the plates with respect to the valve nozzle assembly 12 results in the plates being maintained in desired position once they are so oriented. It is preferred that the seating flanges be rested on the interior section of the rim of bowl B with the spacing between the ends of plate 50 being larger than the interior diameter of bowl B. Thereafter, faucet connector 61 is connected to any available source of water supply, and the water turned on with temperature control being obtained at the faucet.

In the event that any medication, or cleansing agent is desired to be employed, this may readily be inserted within nozzle collar 40 by removing cap 43 and depositing the necessary medication or cleansing agent within chamber 41.

The flow of fluid through the nozzles 35 into the chamber 41 and through nozzles 45 and 46 is obtained by raising valve stem 30 to bring the inlet port 31 of the valve stem into alignment with the inlet port 15 of the valve body 13. There is a friction fit between the valve stem and the valve body so that the valve stem will maintain any position in which it is oriented with respect to the valve body. Upward movement of the valve stem with respect to the valve body is limited by headed limiting screw 25.

Since in normal use, it is intended that in the upward position of the valve stem 30 desired flow will be obtained, while in the lowered position there will be a cessation of flow, if the upward movement is permitted to go to a point where in the inlet port 32 of the valve stem and the inlet port 15 of valve body will come out of registry, it will be apparent that fluid flow will cease. Thereby, by use of limiting screw 25, it is possible to control the permissible amount of upward movement, thereby decreasing the amount of flow with the user merely moving the valve stem from its lowest to its uppermost position.

During periods of non-use, or when it is desired to transport the bidet structure, it is merely necessary to remove same from the toilet seat folding the plates 50 to the position shown in FIG. 2 thereby substantially reducing the volume occupied.

It is thus seen that simple means have been provided implementing the positioning of a nozzle in a desired position with respect to a toilet bowl, bedpan or the like, whereby the toilet bowl or bedpan may serve as a bidet. The device is simple of construction and maintenance, and is readily subject to cleansing, and collapse for portability.

The above disclosure has been by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Portable apparatus for bathing the perineal region of the human anatomy when disposed in sitting position with respect to a toilet bowl or the like having a rim, said apparatus comprising a nozzle assembly; a hose coupled to said nozzle assembly to direct fluid thereto; a coupling on said hose permitting detachable connection of said hose to a water supply and a pair of slotted planar supporting plates secured to said nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly slideably mounted in a slot of said supporting plates, the axis of said nozzle assembly extending at an angle to the plane of said supporting plates, to permit selective positioning of said nozzle assembly with respect to said plates to permit adjustment of the distance a free end of said plates extends from said nozzle assembly, whereby the free ends of said plates may be positioned on the rim of the bowl to support said nozzle assembly at a desired position within the confines of the bowl rim.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said nozzle assembly is formed with an undercut forming a slideway within which said supporting plates ride.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said nozzle assembly comprises: a valve body having an inlet port; and a valve stem slideably mounted in said valve body controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said free end of said plates are formed with an upwardly bent seating flange adapted to bear against the inner edge of a rim of a toilet bowl or the like in connection with which said apparatus is employed.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 in which said seating flange is formed with an aperture through which said valve assembly may be passed to implement assembly and disassembly.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said nozzle assembly comprises: a hollow nozzle collar forming a chamber within which a desired medicament or cleansing agent may be contained, said collar having nozzle openings through which a mixture of the contents of the chamber and the fluid fed by said apparatus may be emitted.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which said nozzle assembly is formed with nozzle openings extending transversely of the axis of said collar, whereby turbulence is produced in said chamber.

8. Apparatus as in claim 3 in which a headed limiting screw is secured to said valve stem, limiting the movement of said stem with respect to said valve body.

9. Portable apparatus for bathing the perineal region of the human anatomy when disposed in sitting position with respect to a toilet bowl or the like having a rim, said apparatus comprising a valve body having an inlet port; an undercut forming a slideway in an exterior wall of. said valve body, said valve body having an inlet port; a hollow valve stem slideably mounted in said valve body, said stem having an inlet port and nozzle openings through which fluid admitted through the inlet port may be emitted, said valve stem being manually movable to adjust the registry of the inlet ports of said stem and said body to control the flow of fluid through the stem nozzles; a pair of slotted slide plates sliding in said slideway and extensible in opposite directions from said valve body, to permit adjustment of the distance a freeend of said plate extends from said nozzle assembly, whereby the free end of said plate may be positioned on the rim of the bowl tosupport said valve body and nozzle at a desired position within the confines of the bowl rim.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which a headed screw member is slideably extended through said valve body along its longitudinal axis, said screw member adjustably 6 engaging said valve stem and limiting the movement thereof with respect to said valve body.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which a hollow nozzle collar is positioned about the nozzle openings of said valve stem, the hollow in said collar forming a chamber within which a desired medicament or cleansing agent may be contained, said collar having nozzle openings through which a mixture of the contents of the chamber and the fluid fed by said apparatus may be emitted.

12. Apparatus asin claim 9 in which said free end of said plates are formed with an upwardlyibent seating flange adapted ot bear against the inner edge of a rim of a toilet bowl or the like in connection with which said apparatus is employed.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12 in which said seating flange is formed with an aperture through which said valve assembly may be passed to implement assembly and disassembly.

References Cited by the Examiner EDWARD v. BENHAM; Primary Examiner. 

1. PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR BATHING THE PERINEAL REGION OF THE HUMAN ANATOMY WHEN DISPOSED IN SITTING POSITION WITH RESPECT TO A TOILET BOWL OR THE LIKE HAVING A RIM, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A NOZZLE ASSEMBLY; A HOSE COUPLED TO SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY TO DIRECT FLUID THERETO; A COUPLING ON SAID HOSE PREMITTING DETACHABLE CONNECTION OF SAID HOSE TO A WATER SUPPLY AND A PAIR OF SLOTTED PLANAR SUPPORTING PLATES SECURED TO SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY, SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY SLIDEABLY MOUNTED IN A SLOT OF SAID SUPPORTING PLATES, THE AXIS OF SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY EXTENDING AT AN ANGLE TO THE PLANE OF SAID SUPPORTING PLATES, TO PERMIT SELECTIVE POSITIONING OF SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID PLATES TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT OF THE DISTANCE A FREE END OF SAID PLATES EXTENDS FROM SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY, WHEREBY THE FREE ENDS OF SAID PLATES MAY BE POSITIONED ON THE RIM OF THE BOWL TO SUPPORT SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AT A DESIRED POSITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE BOWL RIM. 